The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 14th day of July, 2015 in council chambers. Council members present were Thom Muellner, Ralph Muellner, Roland Ahrendt and Joe Arnzen. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Mark and Mary Monroe and Mike Fogel.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2015 meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council read a letter written by Ken Messer regarding the culvert extension that he put in without a permit. The addition to the culvert is a drain tile that is of smaller size than the culvert itself. The council remains firm that this culvert extension is to be removed and the ditch is to be restored to its original state.
The following building permits were discussed:
1. Del Uecker was issued a building permit for a front step with cement.
2. Ken Messer, in his letter, asked for tin on the shed on his rental property. No permit will be issued until all open projects are completed.
3. Ken Messer, in his letter, asked for deck and patio pads. This permit was tabled until a time that Mr. Messer can attend a council meeting to discuss this further as there is no indication as to where the deck and patio pads are to be installed.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2015-08, A Resolution Accepting a $15,000 Donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Park Maintenance. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve Resolution No. 2015-09, A Resolution Accepting a $300 Donation from Swanville Dollars for Scholars for Fire Equipment. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Chico obtained two quotes for a generator for the west lift station. Jim’s Electric was a verbal quote for approximately $23,000 and a quote from Ellingson’s for approximately $16,000. This generator would ensure that when there is a power outage, the lift stations at the west lift will continue working.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the purchase of a generator for the west lift station from Ellingson’s for approximately $16,000, as well as the installation of a cement pad for it to be placed on. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon roll call vote, the council voted as follows: Roland Ahrendt: aye, Ralph Muellner: nay, Thom Muellner: aye, Joe Arnzen : aye, Jim Gohman: aye. Motion carried.
2. A quote from Cutting Edge Tree Service for the removal of trees behind the fire hall. It was the consensus of the council to not remove the trees at this time.
3. The temporary employee is finished but would come in if needed.
4. Chico informed the council on a gate valve that was missing the cover on Maple Street. He found a replacement in the shop but the line is now full of water and dirt. The company installing the gas lines will vacuum out the pipe.
5. Chico informed the council that there are three resident’s curb stops that are underneath the tar.
The council conducted the six month review for Chico. Things have been going well.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to increase the pay rate for the maintenance supervisor a dollar per hour effective with the current pay period. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed wages for the 2016 budget.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the GEMFest Liquor License for the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
There were no yard clean ups for council consideration.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve a $250 donation to the Initiative Foundation. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The clerk informed the council that Minnesota Power is doing pole inspections in the city. There is a line that runs from the fire hall to the siren that is attached to the power pole. If the line remains attached to the power pole, it would require paying a fee and entering into a contract with Minnesota Power. The clerk was instructed to do some research on prices for a contract with Minnesota Power as well as what it would cost just to move the line off the pole to a new location.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to schedule a work session for Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., to meet with Chase Johnson from Johnson Jet-Line to discuss the recent jetting and televising that was done on the city sewer mains.
The clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the various funds transfers as follows: $25,386.58 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Sewer Fund, $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $87.41 from the General Fund of which $27.91 goes to the Water Fund and $59.50 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities and $113.00 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve the payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the following additional items: $4,700 to Dennis Bacon, $1,785.03 to Minnesota Power and $6,000 to Central Minnesota Credit Union. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk